Smitten by Books

How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back
Author: Sophie Barnes
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Pub. Date: February 21, 2012
ASIN: B006L7R0AE
Pages: 340
Digital Price: $3.99
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Emily Rutherford is having a very bad day.

Of course, having the man you’ve loved forever announce his engagement to your (now very former) best friend will do that.

Emily is sure nothing good could possibly come out of this horrid situation. But she lets her sisters—along with Francis Riley, the delectable but brooding Earl of Dunhurst—convince her that a season in London will be just the thing.

Now Emily has a choice: sulk in a corner while her sisters enjoy the glitter of the ton . . . or become the belle of the ball, dazzling everyone on an earl’s arm. But as Francis helps Emily get back on her feet, she quickly realizes that a childhood crush is nothing compared to the power of true love.

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REVIEW

A regency debut full of surprises and intrigue!

A marriage announcement was imminent, at least that’s what Emily Rutherford and her two sisters thought—that’s what everyone thought. Until Emily’s childhood love announces his engagement to Emily’s best friend, Kate.

Bereft and inconsolable, Emily suddenly feels as if every proprietary action, every correct step she’s ever made has done nothing but bring her pain. She’s determined to wallow in her pity, even though she and her sisters are destitute, and in desperate need to make marriage matches that will remove them from being a financial burden to their devious cousin. Enter Francis, Earl of Dunhurst, to the rescue?

Francis and Emily were once childhood friends, until something changed him. Now he’s a perfect example of a man most likely to remain single forever. He doesn’t dance, doesn’t laugh, doesn’t smile, and believes in keeping to himself. Yet, Emily’s broken heart sparks emotion within him, and he longs to repair the damage to her once sunny disposition. The tortured healing the tortured, intriguing. His offer: A season in London for Emily and her sisters. Little does he know that the offer will bring temptation, and unfurl his closed heart to emotions he long thought non-existent.

Barnes’ debut novel is delicious. Characters, Francis and Emily, shine as two people who’ve been hurt and need to find a way to be happy again. What makes everything fun is that Emily’s heartbreak causes her to say ‘boo’ to propriety. Suddenly she’s not worried about a man standing too close to her or kissing her, especially when it’s the handsome Lord Dunhurst. Francis, on the other hand, wants more than just a kiss. Emily’s happiness is a balm to his soul and he desperately wants to bottle it up for an eternity. Especially since Francis has a few secrets weighing on his conscience.

The story’s pace is fantastic, and Barnes’ has a delightful way with words. In some instances the prose reminded me of Heyer and Austen, at least with phrasing and word choice; which makes for some wonderful conversations! Secondary characters were also a delight and Barnes’ is very adept at creating villains you would love to clobber with a fry pan.

The plot is the only weak point. I felt things were a little bit too tidy on the romance side, and of course there is a mystery. Let’s just say the romance portion of this story is wrapped rather quickly, so those who like an angst-filled read might find themselves disappointed. This book is more about once upon time friends falling in love and realizing that they were meant for each other.

Overall, a good debut, and I believe that there’s a new voice in regency romance. I’m definitely looking forward to more from this author.

Rating: 3.5 (Good – Recommend)

Heat-Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Landra